Press Releases
REP. WATSON COLEMAN, FORMER PLANNED PARENTHOOD PRESIDENT CECILE RICHARDS CALL FOR MAJOR JUDICIAL REFORMS AMID SUPREME COURT ETHICS SCANDALS
Ewing, NJ (April 29, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) called for major judicial reforms including Court expansion at a press conference outside Trenton City Hall Saturday morning. The Congresswoman was joined by former Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards and former Biden Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States Commissioner Caroline Fredrickson. The press conference was the latest stop on a national … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Sen. Menendez, Rep. Watson Coleman Renew Bicameral Effort to Outlaw Gun Silencers
Washington D.C. (April 27, 2023) – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a founding member of the Senate Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) today reintroduced the Help Empower Americans to Respond (HEAR) Act – bicameral federal gun safety legislation to ban the importation, sale, manufacturing, transfer and possession of gun silencers or suppressors. “Gun silencers are devices designed for a very specific purpose … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Condemns Republican Votes to Pass Default On America Act
Ewing, NJ (April 24, 2023) - Congresswoman Watson Coleman was unable to cast a vote in opposition to the Limit, Save, Grow Act due to a family medical emergency that kept her away from Washington, DC. She thoroughly opposes the Republicans’ plan to appease the most extreme members of the Republican party with draconian cuts and to put the financial stability of the country at risk if they don’t get their way. It took a lot of hard work by millions of everyday Americans to … Continue Reading
April 26, 2023
Reps Watson Coleman, Mfume Reintroduce New Pathways Act to Aide Reentry and Reduce Recidivism
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) introduced the New Pathways Act. This legislation would help formerly incarcerated Americans to re-enter society by requiring the Bureau of Prisons to help these individuals obtain government-issued identification. More than 650,000 Americans are released from prison each year and upon release face significant barriers to reentry. Among these barriers is the need for a government ID, which is a … Continue Reading
April 17, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Reintroduces The Filer Voter Act and The Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act of 2023
WASHINGTON, D.C., (April 17, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) announced the reintroduction of the Filer Voter Act (H.R. 2629) and the Employee Profit-Sharing Encouragement Act of 2023 (H.R. 2628). The Filer Voter Act will make it easier to register to vote. This bill allows voters to register to vote when they file their taxes. Much like the “Motor Voter Law” of the 1990s that allowed voters to register to vote with their local … Continue Reading
April 12, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman, DOT Secretary Buttigieg visit Trenton-Mercer Airport in Ewing
Ewing, NJ (April 12, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) met with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to tour the Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) in Ewing and discuss the modernization of the facility that has been operational since 1929. Trenton-Mercer Airport is one of three commercial airports in New Jersey, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. “It’s an honor to welcome Secretary Buttigieg to … Continue Reading
April 11, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman, DOI Secretary Haaland Discuss America 250 and the Crossroads Of The American Revolution at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton
Ewing, NJ (April 11, 2023) - Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) met with U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland to discuss America 250 and the importance of preserving historical heritage sites across New Jersey at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. As a member of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, Congresswoman Watson Coleman is working to prepare the nation for the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary milestone with national programs and … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Indictment of Former President Donald Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 30, 2023) — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement on today's indictment of former President Donald Trump: “Today, an alleged criminal was charged with a crime. Like other alleged criminals, he will have his day in court and be given the opportunity to make his case. This is exactly how our justice system should work. In America, no one is above the law, not even former Presidents. “Over the course of his … Continue Reading
March 30, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on the Arrest of Journalist Evan Gershkovich
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement after the arrest of Princeton native, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in Russia on charges of espionage: "The detention of Evan Gershkovich is outrageous and completely unacceptable. He must be safely and immediately returned to his family. I'm working with my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation and the Administration to ensure his immediate … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman, Sen. Sanders Introduce WATER Act to Improve Water Safety, Affordability, Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2023) — Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) each introduced the WATER Act, a comprehensive bill to expand access to clean, safe, and affordable drinking water. The Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity and Reliability Act has 72 cosponsors across both chambers of Congress and is co-led in the House by Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17). The WATER Act was first introduced in 2016. Its … Continue Reading
March 17, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Full Federal Funding for Green Brook Sub Basin Flood Control Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2023) — Following confirmation that the Green Brook Sub Basin Flood Control Project will be fully funded by the federal government, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued this statement: “I am excited to announce that the Green Brook Sub Basin Flood Control Project will be 100 percent federally funded. Given state and municipal governments’ comparatively small budgets, it’s the U.S. government’s duty … Continue Reading
March 15, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on the Passing of State Senator Ronald L. Rice
EWING, N.J. (March 15, 2023) — Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement on the passing of former New Jersey State Senator Ron Rice: “I am heartbroken to hear of Ron’s passing. New Jersey has lost a consummate public servant, and I have lost a dear friend. “Senator Rice exemplified everything a public servant should be. From his service in the Marines to his 36 years in the state legislature, his … Continue Reading
March 13, 2023
Congresswoman Watson Coleman Announces the Departure of Faith-Based Policy Advisor Lukata Mjumbe
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced the departure of her office’s Faith-Based Policy Advisor Reverend Lukata Mjumbe. Reverend Mjumbe who recently transitioned from his leadership as Pastor of the historic Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church of Princeton, New Jersey has accepted an appointment as the new Executive Director of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium based in Birmingham, Alabama. The Consortium promotes the legacy of the … Continue Reading
March 10, 2023
Watson Coleman, Payne, Jr. Reintroduce Resolution to Recognize the Impact of Colorectal Cancer on the Black Community
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) introduced a resolution acknowledging the horrific impact colorectal cancer has on the Black community and that the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force needs to reduce the age of screening for this cancer. Colorectal Cancer, or CRC, is the third most common cancer in the United States for men and women combined, and it’s the second leading cause of cancer death. On average, CRC takes more than … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Response to Reports of U.S. Reinstating Migrant Family Detention
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 7, 2023) — Amid reports that the Biden Administration is considering reinstating migrant family detention, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement: “The Trump-era policy of family detention was a stain on our past. It has no place in our future. "Regardless of which party controls the White House, most Americans agree that locking families in cages is inhumane, immoral, and ultimately ineffective. We … Continue Reading
February 24, 2023
Menendez, Booker, Watson Coleman Lead NJ Delegation in Announcing $35M in LIHEAP Additional Funding to Assist NJ Families with Heating Expenses
U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today were joined by members of the NJ Congressional Delegation including U.S. House Representatives Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-09), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-N.J.-10), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-11), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12) in announcing a total of $35,196,880 in additional federal funding … Continue Reading
February 10, 2023
Sen. Menendez, Rep. Watson Coleman Join with Middlesex County & Monroe Township Officials to Announce $1.1 Million for Flood Mitigation Planning
MONROE, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-.N.J.-12) joined today with representatives of Middlesex County and Monroe Township to announce more than $1 million in federal funding for flood mitigation planning in the county. In recent years, the area has suffered repeated damage to homes and businesses from tropical storms. [CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL VIDEO] “Central Jersey has long suffered … Continue Reading
February 09, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Celebrates Black History Month, Passage of Legislation to Honor Black Revolutionary War Heroes
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2023) - In observing Black History Month, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the passage of her National Liberty Memorial Preservation Act. The Congresswoman’s bill was included in the fiscal year 2023 omnibus funding package that President Biden signed in December. The National Liberty Memorial Preservation Act authorizes construction of the National Liberty Memorial, a monument to honor the Black and Indigenous soldiers who served in … Continue Reading
February 09, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Black History Matters Act
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Black History Matters Act. This legislation would direct the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to conduct a study on Black history education efforts in public elementary and secondary schools. A study conducted by the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and Oberg Research found that, on average, only 8-9% of history class time is devoted to Black history, and … Continue Reading
February 08, 2023
Rep. Watson Coleman, Congressional Black Caucus Call for Police Reform During State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 8, 2023) — On the day of President Biden’s State of the Union Address, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) led her colleagues in standing against police brutality. The Congresswoman and dozens of her Congressional Black Caucus colleagues wore buttons reading “1870,” the year of the earliest documented police killing of an unarmed Black American. That year, a Philadelphia police officer shot and killed … Continue Reading